The Down District Business Awards include 11 award categories which businesses can be nominated for. These include Dermot Curran Young Achiever award, Best knowledge- based company, Best community/social enterprise, Best sustainable local food producer and and many others. A full list of all of the categories, criteria and nomination forms can be downloaded from www.downdc.gov.uk or www.beyondni.co.uk. [caption id="attachment_18869" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Down Council chairman Eamonn O'Neill and Councillor Dermot Curran are on the lookout for the best in business."][/caption] The closing date for all entries is next Monday 17th January 2011. Councillor Curran commented, ‘’ We have had a great response to the awards and there is still time for those young entrepreneurs and businesses, who haven’t yet entered, to be included in this prestigious event. We are seeking to recognise new, growing and established businesses within the area, so we really hope everyone will see themselves as worthy entrants and nominate their business for one or more of the categories’’. For details on how to purchase tickets for the awards gala evening on Friday 25th February 2011 and how to avail of some of the sponsorship opportunities still available for award categories, please contact Patricia Kelly at Down District Council on 02844 619870. Sponsors who have proudly associated themselves with the event are; Ulster Bank who has secured sponsorship of ‘The Dermot Curran Young Achiever Award’, Invest NI is sponsoring ‘Best Export Business’, Northern Bank have confirmed ‘Best Small Business’ and ASDA are excited to be sponsoring the ‘Best Sustainable Local Food Producer’ Award.]]>